(かたづ)ける

かたづける
verb (ichidan)
to tidy up, to put away
1. to tidy up, to clean up
To organize and clean a space by putting things in their proper places.
部屋(へや)片付(かたづ)けてください
Please tidy up your room.
I started studying after tidying up my desk.
台所(だいどころ)片付(かたづ)ける。
To clean up the kitchen.
()らかった部屋(へや)片付(かたづ)けた。
I tidied up the messy room.
()()(まえ)部屋(へや)片付(かたづ)けなければならない。
I have to tidy up the room before moving.
2. to put away, to store
To return items to their designated storage location.
(ほん)本棚(ほんだな)片付(かたづ)けた。
I put the books away on the bookshelf.
に marks where items are put
()べたら(さら)片付(かたづ)けて
After you eat, put the dishes away, okay?
After playing, put away your toys.
洗濯物(せんたくもの)片付(かたづ)けた。
I put away the laundry.
To put the tools back in their original place.
書類(しょるい)片付(かたづ)けた。
I put away the documents.
3. to finish, to settle
To complete or resolve a task or matter.
この仕事(しごと)(はや)片付(かたづ)けたい。
I want to finish this work quickly.
'Finish/settle' meaning
宿題(しゅくだい)片付(かたづ)けた。
I finished my homework.
用事(ようじ)片付(かたづ)けてから()
I'll go after finishing my errands.
To solve problems one by one.
(のこ)仕事(しごと)片付(かたづ)けよう。
Let's finish the remaining work.

TRANSITIVITY: 他動詞(たどうし) (transitive). Pair: 片付(かたづ)く (intransitive, to be tidied up). Pattern: Xを片付(かたづ)ける (tidy up X).

ASPECT: ている indicates ongoing action or resulting state. 片付(かたづ)けている = 'is tidying' or 'has tidied.'

COMMON PATTERNS:

  • 部屋(へや)片付(かたづ)ける (tidy up a room)
  • (つくえ)(うえ)片付(かたづ)ける (clear the desk)
  • 仕事(しごと)片付(かたづ)ける (finish/wrap up work)
  • 問題(もんだい)片付(かたづ)ける (settle a problem)

INTRANSITIVE PAIR: 片付(かたづ)く means 'to be tidied/settled.'

  • 部屋(へや)片付(かたづ)いた (The room is tidy now.)

REGISTER: Neutral. Very common in everyday speech.